Jeremiah 39
1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with his whole army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.
2 In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, the city was breached.
3 Then all the officials of the king of Babylon entered and took their seats at the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim the Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.
4 When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled. They left the city by night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and he went out toward the Arabah.
5 But the Chaldean army pursued them and caught up with Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him.
6 The king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah’s sons at Riblah before his eyes. The king of Babylon also slaughtered all the nobles of Judah.
7 He put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon.
8 The Chaldeans burned the king’s palace and the houses of the people, and they tore down the walls of Jerusalem.
9 Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, deported to Babylon the rest of the people left in the city, those who had deserted to him, and the rest of the people who remained.
10 But Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, left in the land of Judah some of the poorest people, who had nothing, and that day he gave them vineyards and fields to farm.
11 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave orders concerning Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard:
12 “Take him and look after him. Do him no harm, but do for him whatever he asks of you.”
13 So Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon sent for him.
14 They had Jeremiah taken from the guard court and handed over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, to take him home. And he stayed among the people.
15 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah while he was confined in the guard court:
16 “Go and tell Ebed-melech the Cushite: ‘This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Look, I am about to bring my words upon this city for harm and not for good. They will take place before your eyes on that day.
17 But on that day I will rescue you,” declares the LORD, “and you will not be handed over to the men you fear.
18 For I will surely rescue you, and you will not fall by the sword. Your life will be your reward, because you trusted in me,” declares the LORD.’”
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